Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

tblue37

(64,979 posts)
36. The abuse stories horrify me. But I have to say that TSA agents have
Sat Jul 2, 2016, 07:48 PM
Jul 2016

always been thoughtful and helpful to me concerning my disabilities. I am severely hearing impaired, even with my hearing aids in, and I walk with a cane. When I have to go through the metal detector without my cane, an agent always takes my hand and helps me get through it without falling down. When I don't understand their instructions because of my deafness, they are very patient with me.

I suspect that a lot of the difference in experience has to do with which airports one is flying into or out of. I fly from Kansas City and to Pittsburg, PA, Washington, D.C, and DFW.

I also suspect that when someone's handicaps are of a sort that cause them to become nervous or frantic, that might cause agents with even an hidden strain of the bully in them to respond aggressively, the way other animals respond to signs of weakness and fear. Maybe it provokes a predator to prey response, the way a small child running in fear from a large dog will cause some dogs to give chase and forget it is not a wolf.

I also suspect that the bully types respond to any sign of weakness and vulnerability, and not all handicapped people manifest such signs. Although I am a 65-year-old overweight deaf woman, I have taught college for 43 years, I ran a home daycare for 18 years during which I (firmly) raised 37 kids, including my own two (all while teaching college), and project a rather forceful, no-nonsense presence.

Oh, and of course I am white. If I were a POC, I am quite certain that no amount of presence would protect me from abuse, any more than brilliant, world-famous scholar and Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates was protected from abuse by a snotty low IQ police officer who wanted him to "respect his authoritah!"

I share your horror lillypaddle Jul 2016 #1
Small dick, big ego, low IQ, high self-esteem, no sense of shame. Sociopaths with badges Feeling the Bern Jul 2016 #2
You are so right! cpamomfromtexas Jul 2016 #9
You lost me by blaming this on Obama. Did he hire Neffinger? Please tell me how you came to that. Hekate Jul 2016 #3
Obama nominated Neffenger; Senate confirmed him Tsiyu Jul 2016 #4
Did Neffenger do this? yardwork Jul 2016 #26
I flew for the first time in over 6 years and I could not believe Jnclr89 Jul 2016 #5
I haven't flown since somewhere around 2006-2007. Stonepounder Jul 2016 #20
Just for what it is worth, pangaia Jul 2016 #24
I think that TSA is much better than it was before. yardwork Jul 2016 #27
Shout out for the terrific TSA in Las Vegas! colorado_ufo Jul 2016 #37
Welcome to the United States of America mrr303am Jul 2016 #6
What changed? JustAnotherGen Jul 2016 #7
The court documents filed Tsiyu Jul 2016 #8
I believe you are correct but might also be a hate crime as well. cpamomfromtexas Jul 2016 #10
Too many exmilitary hired on police forces HelenWheels Jul 2016 #11
The ex-military aren't usually the problem Sen. Walter Sobchak Jul 2016 #18
Feckless authoritarianism is feckless. DirkGently Jul 2016 #12
This whole thing just blows me away, but passiveporcupine Jul 2016 #13
Every time I think I have seen humanity at its lowest... Initech Jul 2016 #14
I hope that the doctors at St. Jude's make statements. Manifestor_of_Light Jul 2016 #15
The court can sort the facts from the allegations struggle4progress Jul 2016 #16
I disagree. The courts have shown us over and over again they are on the side of the cretins AllyCat Jul 2016 #19
Its as if the State of War by the Establishment against LarryNM Jul 2016 #21
"Let's replace our justice system with anonymous internet posters!" struggle4progress Jul 2016 #25
Do you feel the average person is getting a fair shake? AllyCat Jul 2016 #38
My general opinions on that are entirely irrelevant to the factual questions struggle4progress Jul 2016 #39
There used to be a poster here who proudly stated she would submit to a TSA administered... Sen. Walter Sobchak Jul 2016 #17
Because it is the police mentality. It's the difference between community PatrickforO Jul 2016 #22
Sounds like time to petition the White House annominous Jul 2016 #23
Hopefully, she will win the lawsuit. Deuce Jul 2016 #28
These so-called "people" have always been here ... Jopin Klobe Jul 2016 #29
But bbut but they are protecting you from malaise Jul 2016 #30
They were given the "Power' under the Patriot Act turbinetree Jul 2016 #31
thank you G_j Jul 2016 #33
Your welcome ........................ turbinetree Jul 2016 #40
K&R...Thanks for posting.....Here are some links we can use to express our anger about this: red dog 1 Jul 2016 #32
Thanks.......................... turbinetree Jul 2016 #41
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THE TSA AND THE MEMPHIS POLICE? " Answer: TransitJohn Jul 2016 #34
As a person with an invisible chronic condition... DeadLetterOffice Jul 2016 #35
The abuse stories horrify me. But I have to say that TSA agents have tblue37 Jul 2016 #36
Police = Roided up randos. Odin2005 Jul 2016 #42
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Thank You Peter Neffenger...»Reply #36